Flat doors in Grenfell Tower could only hold back a blaze for half the time they were supposed to, investigators have found.

Experts acting on behalf of the Metropolitan Police tested an undamaged front door from the west London block and found that it could withstand a blaze for 15 minutes - not the 30 for which it was designed.

A statement by Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Sajid Javid acknowledged in a statement to Parliament on Thursday morning (March 15) that the news “will be troubling for many people not least all those affected by the Grenfell tragedy”, but that the risk to public safety remained low.

"As part of this investigation, experts tested a flat front door taken from Grenfell Tower. The door tested was designed to resist fire for 30 minutes but during the test, it was only found to resist the fire for approximately 15 minutes, a much shorter period than expected.

"The forensic examination and testing phase is ongoing and we are not able to comment on the potential impact or otherwise that any test result may have on the overall criminal investigation.

"We have shared this information with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as the appropriate government department, so that they are able to take any action required."

Read More

Mr Javid said the police considered the findings might have wider implication for public safety and alerted his department, which put together an expert panel made up of fire safety and building experts.

After consultation the panel advised the risk to public safety remained low, and that there was no change for fire safety advice that the public should follow.

He continued: “I nevertheless appreciate that this news will be troubling for many people not least of all those affected by the Grenfell tragedy.

Forty engines were called to the 27-storey block of flats at 12.54am on Wednesday (Image: Rick Findler/PA Wire)

“That's why based on expert advice we have begun the process of conducting further tests and will continue to consult with the expert panels to identify the implications of these further tests.”

Read More

He added: “My department and the Metropolitan Police will ensure that the bereaved and the survivors are kept informed of progress.”

And he warned: “I should stress that in carrying out these tests conclusions should not be drawn on the nature of the cause of the Grenfell tragedy. That is a matter for a separate police investigation and it must be allowed to run its course.”

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can even set it to receive push notifications for all the breaking news in your area